Sheriff warns of phone scam soliciting bogus jail bond payments

Jackson County residents are receiving suspect calls from people claiming to be representatives of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and asking for cash, but county officials say it’s definitely a scam.

The Sheriff’s Office received “several complaints of suspicious calls" on Sunday, Dec. 9, according to a release.

“The subjects claim that you that you have a warrant and that you need to meet them and pay a bond,” sheriff’s officials said. "The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will not call and ask you for money. If you receive any of these calls please don’t give money or meet anyone claiming to represent the Sheriff’s Office.

“Bonds are typically arranged at one of our two jail facilities and normally facilitated by a reputable bonding company.”

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by perpetrators of the scam may contact Jackson County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Bryan Huttenlocker at 517-768-7931.

Similar versions of this con involving scammers imitating law enforcement have been reported across Michigan and beyond in recent years and sometimes target the elderly with claims that the person’s grandchild is jailed. The mark is then asked to purchase a cash card and provide information that allows the person committing the fraud to access the cash.